Drmg049, Dragon
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May 1981
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Vol. V, No. 11
Vol. V, No. 11
May 1981
Welcome to issue #49 of DRAGON
magazine. Those of you who do not
normally read that tall skinny box to the
right of this column should do so at this
time, as there have been some changes
in the structure of the magazine staff
since last issue.
It is difficult to not sound like I am
beating my own drum as I say that I am
now publisher, but such is the case. I
would like to take this opportunity to ex-
press my thanks to E. Gary Gygax, Pres-
ident of TSR Hobbies, Inc., and the
Board of Directors for their confidence
in me with this promotion. Also on the
promotion list is former Assistant Editor
Kim Mohan, who now becomes Editor-
in-Chief. In actuality, Kim has been per-
forming all the functions normally asso-
crated with the title of editor for some
months now, and it is only fitting that he
now receive the title to go with the has-
sles. Congratulations, Kim! (Thank you,
Jake. Same to you.).
exists: Fantasy Newsletter. Published
monthly by Paul and Susan Allen, P.O.
Box 170A, Rochester, N.Y. 14601, this
magazine is a must for anyone wishing
to keep up on the plethora of fantasy and
science fiction titles on the market to-
day. In addition to reviews of everything
new, Fantasy Newsletter contains regu-
lar columns by Karl Edward Wagner,
Fritz Leiber, Mike Ashley, and Bill
Warren, interviews with noted authors,
outstanding artwork and drawings, and
a host of other regular and semi-regular
features of interest to readers. It is avail-
able for $15/year second class mail or
$22/year first class to the U.S. and
Canada.
Publisher
. . . . . . . . . . . Jake Jaquet
Editor-in-Chief
. . . . . . Kim Mohan
Editorial staff
. . . . . . . Bryce Knorr
Marilyn Mays
Sales & Circ
. . . . Debbie Chiusano
Corey Koebernick
Office staff
. . . . . . . Cherie Knull
Jean Lonze
Roger Raupp
Contributing editors
. . . Roger Moore
Ed Greenwood
This issue’s contributing artists:
Tim Hildebrandt Jeff Dee
Jeff Lanners
Kenneth Rahman
Roger Raupp
Dave Trampier
Brad Parker
J. D. Webster
* * *
DRAGON magazine is published monthly by
Dragon Publishing, a division of TSR Hobbies,
Inc. The mailing address of Dragon Publishing
is P.O. Box 110, Lake Geneva WI 53147: tele-
phone (414) 248-8044.
I may have been somewhat overoptim-
istic in last month’s Rumbles when I an-
nounced the release of the upcoming
Best of the Dragon, Vol. II as sometime in
the first of May. We’re working on it
(material has been selected — it’ll be al-
most exclusively D&D
®
/AD&D™ game
oriented), but it may take a little while
longer to physically produce than antic-
ipated — we’ve only got 18 hands, you
know. We’re looking at the last of May or
first of June now.
DRAGON magazine is available at hundreds
of hobby stores and bookstores throughout the
United States and Canada, and through a limit-
ed number of overseas outlets. The magazine
can be purchased directly from Dragon Publish-
ing by subscription. Rates are as follows, with all
payments to be made in advance: $24 for 12
issues sent to a U.S. or Canadian address; $50
U.S. for 12 issues sent via surface mail or $95 for
12 issues sent via air mail to any other country.
* * *
As DRAGON magazine continues to
grow (each issue is now read by more
than 150,000 people), we become more
able to bring you what we hope is the
highest quality gaming magazine on the
market. Part of the philosophy of Dragon
Publishing is to consider each publica-
tion as a whole, with respect to quality,
from the paper to the printing to the writ-
ing itself to the artwork. Also, we try to
provide a publication that is both enjoy-
able and informative as whole.
We hope we are fulfilling these philos-
ophies this month with an effort of con-
siderable expense and effort in present-
ing the work and words of Tim Hilde-
brandt. One of the true attractions of fan-
tasy gaming is, indeed, the appeal of
quality fantasy artwork. Much of fantasy
gaming has been inspired by fantasy li-
terature, classic heroic tales, and the ac-
companying illustrations. “A picture is
worth a thousand words” has never been
more true than when applied to fantasy
art. Players of any fantasy adventure
game should be able to draw up an in-
credible scenario from this month’s cover.
A limited quantity of certain back issues of
DRAGON magazine can be purchased directly
from the publisher by sending the cover price
plus $1 postage and handling for each issue
ordered. Payment must accompany all orders.
* * *
The issue of expiration for each subscription
is printed on the mailing label for each sub-
scriber’s copy of the magazine. Changes of ad-
dress for the delivery of subscriptions must be
received at least 30 days prior to the effective
date of the change in order to insure uninter-
rupted delivery
Hidden in last month’s April issue in
the “Dragon Mumbles” column of the
April Fool section was our April Fool
Contest. First to respond to our instruc-
tions to drop us a post card (other than
the mysterious anonymous phone caller
who said “consider a card dropped” and
hung up) was John Sheley, Jr. of Terre
Haute, Ind. John’s card states: “Your
backwards paragraph in TD 48½ was
well hidden, but almost immediately ap-
parent to my eagle eye and quick wit.
Since all of my friends tell me I am a great
big fool, I feel I am eminently qualified
for the April Fool Award.” Congratula-
tions, John. You’re the fool.
All material published in DRAGON magazine
becomes the exclusive property of the publisher
upon publication, unless special arrangements
to the contrary are made prior to publication.
DRAGON magazine welcomes unsolicited sub-
missions of written material and artwork; how-
ever, no responsibility for such submissions can
be assumed by the publisher in any event. Any
submission which is accompanied by a self-
addressed, stamped envelope of sufficient size
will be returned to the contributor if it cannot be
published.
DRAGON™ is a trademark for Dragon Publish-
ing’s monthly adventure playing aid. All rights
on the contents of this publication are reserved,
and nothing may be reproduced from it in whole
or in part without prior permission in writing
from the publisher. Copyright 1981 by TSR
Hobbies, Inc. USPS 318-790. ISSN 0279-6848.
* * *
Second class postage paid at Lake Geneva,
Wis., and at additional mailing offices.
Speaking of fantasy literature, I’ve got
to get in a quick plug for an exceptionally
fine publication you may not be aware
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May 1981
elcome to issue #49 of DRAGON magazine,
the most conventional and unconventional
collection of articles and artwork we’ve ever
put between two covers. And just what does
that mean? Read on, and it will all be clear in
you’re used to finding inside DRAGON magazine? Not hardly.
For starters, we’ve finally taken steps to satisfy all you honorable
readers who’ve been asking for information on the Samurai
non-player character. An updated and lengthened version of the
character class, which made its debut in the pages of DRAGON
magazine nearly five years ago, should make you very happy.
For those of you who prefer a more detailed version of the
Alchemist NPC, Len Lakofka offers just such a character in
Leomund’s Tiny Hut.
Also inside are many other special articles to help embellish
an adventure or an entire campaign, including: Karl Horak’s
description of how to construct a three-dimensional world on
paper, complete with a pattern you can use to build a 20-sided
“sphere” with a hex-grid pattern already printed on its surface;
lists of names, provided by author Glenn Rahman, which can be
used to christen characters in a historically accurate fashion;
Jon Mattson’s system for converting AD&D monsters into crea-
tures compatible with a Chivalry & Sorcery game; Paul Cra-
baugh’s suggestions for expanding the scope of the Dragon-
Quest rules, and Gary Snyder’s guidelines for how to use the
Wish and Limited Wish spells — both as a “giver” and a “getter.”
Following that article is a bit of “wishful writing” on the part of
contributing editor Roger Moore which we hope you’ll enjoy as
well. Roger is also the responsible party for this issue’s edition of
Giants in the Earth.
Our other contributing editor, Ed Greenwood, is represented
by an essay in Up on a Soapbox, describing how a DM can
indoctrinate new players to a role-playing game without telling
them any more than they absolutely need to know.
Administrators and agents involved in a TOP SECRET™ mis-
sion can now choose from a wider assortment of ammunition
than offered in the official rule book, thanks to the latest install-
ment of The Rasmussen Files. Other regular columns we could
pack into these pages include Simulation Corner, where John
Prados examines the issue of being a free-lance game designer;
another bit of background for DIVINE RIGHT™ players by game
designer Glenn Rahman in Minarian Legends; another Squad
Leader scenario from Bryan Beecher; a pair of new dungeon-
adventure timekeeping computer programs in The Electric Eye
by Mark Herro; and another two pages of miniature-figure re-
views by Bill Fawcett in Figuratively Speaking.
All in all, you have 120 pages of reading in store for you . . . and
only a month until we’ll do it all over again. — KM
just a little while.
The unconventional part is this issue’s special inclusion,
which doesn’t have anything directly to do with playing a game
but has everything to do with the world of fantasy. The offering
is titled “A Hildebrandt Brother” and is the result of interviews
and photo sessions conducted by staff member Bryce Knorr at
the home of Tim Hildebrandt, who, as they say on the talk
shows, needs no introduction. For an insight into Tim the per-
son, read the interview. For some sights of the paintings which
have taken him to the pinnacle of professional success, check
out this month’s cover — done especially for DRAGON maga-
zine — and the selection of other paintings reproduced along
with the interview. We are very, very proud of these pages, and
we hope it shows.
To find the conventional part of #49, turn two pages after this
one to the start of a special feature section on the related sub-
jects of tournaments and conventions. The nine pages of text in
this section include Allen Barwick’s plea for fairness and consis-
tency in the judging of role-playing tournaments; Philip Meyers’
unfavorable assessment of the structure of last year’s AD&D™
Open Tournament, accompanied by a response from Frank
Mentzer of TSR Hobbies; preview stories on the Gen Con
®
East
and Gen Con
®
XIV Conventions; information about two other
special events of interest to gamers; plus the most extensive
listing of upcoming conventions that we could assemble before
going to press. Elsewhere in the magazine you’ll find pre-
registration brochures for Gen Con East and Gen Con XIV — a
total of 22 more pages of very conventional stuff.
Does that mean there wasn’t room for all the “regular” things
SPECIAL ATTRACTION
A Hildebrandt Brother — Tim talks about his art, his life,
and the creation of fantasy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
REGULAR OFFERINGS
Out on a Limb — Letters from readers
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
The Rasmussen Files — TOP SECRET™ ammunition
. . . . . . 22
Giants in the Earth — Holger Carlsen
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Hugi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
30
Ellide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
31
Dragon’s Bestiary
Nogra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
54
Leomund’s Tiny Hut — The Alchemist NPC
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Simulation Corner — To free-lance or not?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Squad Leader scenario — The fall of Budapest
. . . . . . . . . . . 70
Minarian Legends — The Eaters of Wisdom
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
The Electric Eye — More timekeeping programs . . . . . . . . . . 76
Up on a Soapbox — Keeping players in the dark
. . . . . . . . . . 79
Figuratively Speaking — Miniatures in review
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Dragon’s Augury
The Hammer of Thor
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Assault on Leningrad
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
World Campaigns
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Wohrom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
86
Dragon Mirth — Cartoons to campaign by
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Wormy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
91
Finieous Fingers
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
92
OTHER FEATURES
Tournament/convention section:
In the interest of fairness... — Judgements on judges. . . 6
The Slave Pits revisited — AD&D™ Open suggestions . . 8
Mentzer’s reply: It isn’t that easy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Conventions galore — A big schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Game Con attendees hear their heroes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Gen Con keeps on growing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15
Gen Con East fills Origins “hole” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15
Painting contest has nine ways to win . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Game design made . . . easy? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Samurai: An honorable NPC
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Getting a world into shape — Polyhedrals with paper
. . . . . . 28
Historical names make for better games
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Monster mixing: AD&D creatures adapted for C&S
. . . . . . . . 34
Best wishes — Principles for proper wishing
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
62
Wishing makes it so — Fiction
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
65
Travel & threads for DragonQuest
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
What’s New? — This comic strip, for one thing
. . . . . . . . . . . 90
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